Associated British Foods (ABF) has posted a decline in operating profit for its ingredients and grocery divisions this morning.

In its interim results for the 24 weeks ended 3 March 2012, ABF said its ingredients business, which includes yeast and bakery ingredients manufacturer AB Mauri, saw a £13m decline to £18m. Revenue grew by 2% to £538m.

ABF’s grocery division, including the Kingsmill bread brand, reported a 4% growth in revenue to £1.8bn, but a £34m decline in operating profits to £75m. The company said this was primarily driven by restructuring costs at Allied Bakeries in the UK, in addition to George West Foods in Australia.

Chevler, the rapidly growing South Wales-based manufacturer of baking cases, muffin wraps and printed greaseproof paper, has beefed up its board with the appointment of Mark Hislop as a non-executive director.